The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) issued a stern rebuke following the discovery of antisemitic graffiti at Wynnewood's Temple Beth Hillel-Beth El on Sunday, March 31. Perpetrators targeted the synagogue, marking a sign supporting Israel with a swastika, a symbol infamously associated with hate.

In a press release, Joel Bolstein, Esq., the PHRC's chairperson, said, "The PHRC condemns this blatant act of antisemitism against the local Jewish community in the strongest possible terms, The swastika is a universally recognized symbol of hatred not just against Jews but against all Americans." He reiterated the need for vigilance against hate and assured the public that the PHRC stands ready to combat discrimination vigorously.

The nefarious symbol, identified overnight, marked the second such instance at the synagogue, sparking local police investigations. Echoing Bolstein's sentiments, the PHRC's Executive Director Chad Dion Lassiter, MSW, expressed that antisemitism is intolerable in Pennsylvania and that residents should not fear when practicing their faith. He encouraged anyone facing religious discrimination to report such incidents to the PHRC, which enforces civil rights under the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act.

This recent episode taps into a disturbing trend, with data from the Anti-Defamation League revealing a sharp rise in antisemitic propaganda. Specifically, incidents involving the distribution of antisemitic fliers surged from 422 in 2021 to 852 in 2022, a stark increase signaling a deeply concerning escalation of hate activities toward the Jewish community.